ESPN Tallies Cable's Second Most-Watched Telecast In 2009

ESPN's coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 28-10 win over the Denver Broncos last night tackled the second-most viewers on cable this year.

The Nov. 9 Monday Night Football matchup averaged an 11.5 rating, 11.4 million households and just over 16 million watchers. The contest trailed only the Oct. 5 Green Bay at Minnesota telecast, which averaged 21.8 million viewers, the most in cable history.

According to ESPN officials, Pittsburgh-Denver ranks as the fifth most-viewed cablecast of all time, relative to households, exclusive of breaking news.As it has each week this season, MNF led all the night's programs -- broadcast or cable -- among all key male demos and persons 18 to 34, according to ESPN officials.

Through nine weeks (10 games) of the NFL season, ESPN's MNF averaged a 10.6 rating, 10.5 million households and almost 14.6 million watchers, gains of 16%, 17% and 18%, respectively, from last season.